Traffic Homicide Investigator Harold Compton said Lack and Vaughn had traveled with a female friend to the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville, intending to spend the day with her at the facility.

But the woman was admitted to the hospital, and the men decided to return to Tampa on their own.

The two had hitchhiked from Gainesville to Ocala and were resting in the parking lot of the now defunct Krystal restaurant at 3751 NW Blitchton Road the night of Aug. 12. Police were notified about the incident at 11:31 p.m.

Compton said he followed the blood trail from the point of impact to the roadway and further on to northbound Interstate 75. The officer added he has visited all the truck stops and truck washes along northbound I-75, and questioned and left his business cards with truckers, employees and anyone he could find. So far, he's had no luck.

Due to the rough conditions of pot holes in the area where the incident occurred, as well as the size of the vehicle — believed to be a single-axle, dual rear wheel U-Haul or box truck — Compton said he doesn't think the driver was aware he ran over someone.

The men, Compton said, were sleeping on the north end of the parking lot where no one could see them. They were no lights in the area, the official said.

Vaughn had a blood alcohol content of .136, which is nearly twice more the state's legal limit of .08.

Anyone with information about the hit-and-run death can call OPD at 369-7000, the Crime Line at 369-7061 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Tips can also be sent via the MyPD App for the agency or by texting 274637 using keyword 368STOP.

<p>Ocala police have not given up hope of finding the person who was driving a heavy-duty vehicle that ran over two homeless men, killing one of them, as they slept in a vacant parking lot in August.</p><p>The dead man, Paul Allen Vaughn, was caught in the wheels and dragged about 65 feet before coming loose. A 52-year-old homeless Tampa man, Vaughn died at the scene.</p><p>Vaughn's friend, 51-year-old Joseph F. Lack Jr., also homeless, suffered only minor injuries, as the vehicle's undercarriage only grazed him.</p><p>Traffic Homicide Investigator Harold Compton said Lack and Vaughn had traveled with a female friend to the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville, intending to spend the day with her at the facility.</p><p>But the woman was admitted to the hospital, and the men decided to return to Tampa on their own.</p><p>The two had hitchhiked from Gainesville to Ocala and were resting in the parking lot of the now defunct Krystal restaurant at 3751 NW Blitchton Road the night of Aug. 12. Police were notified about the incident at 11:31 p.m.</p><p>Compton said he followed the blood trail from the point of impact to the roadway and further on to northbound Interstate 75. The officer added he has visited all the truck stops and truck washes along northbound I-75, and questioned and left his business cards with truckers, employees and anyone he could find. So far, he's had no luck.</p><p>Due to the rough conditions of pot holes in the area where the incident occurred, as well as the size of the vehicle — believed to be a single-axle, dual rear wheel U-Haul or box truck — Compton said he doesn't think the driver was aware he ran over someone.</p><p>The men, Compton said, were sleeping on the north end of the parking lot where no one could see them. They were no lights in the area, the official said.</p><p>Vaughn had a blood alcohol content of .136, which is nearly twice more the state's legal limit of .08.</p><p>Anyone with information about the hit-and-run death can call OPD at 369-7000, the Crime Line at 369-7061 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Tips can also be sent via the MyPD App for the agency or by texting 274637 using keyword 368STOP.</p>